BuildWellTakeoff
A takeoff is the process of measuring a project from plans or on site and listing every material and quantity needed to build it.
Every reliable estimate starts with a takeoff. You measure lengths, areas, volumes and counts: linear feet of wall, square feet of drywall and flooring, cubic yards of concrete, the number of outlets, doors and fixtures.
Work in a consistent order, such as by trade or by room, and mark each item on the plans as you count it, so nothing is counted twice or missed. Record quantities in the units you’ll buy: sheets, boxes, bundles, squares, pieces.
Add a waste factor to each material. Then attach prices to the quantities, and labor hours from your production rates, to turn the takeoff into an estimate.
Digital takeoff tools speed this up for work from plans, but on remodels a tape measure and a site visit are often more reliable than old drawings. Measure what’s really there, including walls that aren’t square and floors that aren’t level.
Keep the takeoff with the job. When the client asks for a change, or when you job-cost the finished work, it shows exactly what the price was based on.
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- Estimates, invoices, clients and projects
- Clients sign on any phone
- Card and bank payments, no extra BuildWell fee
- iPhone, Android and the web
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